Three City Stars Shortlisted For PFA Award

- The winner will be announced at a ceremony in London on Sunday 24 April 

- All three players were playing second tier football as recently as 2014 

- No Leicester City player has ever won the award previously 

The Foxes trio have all enjoyed the best seasons of their careers to date as Claudio Ranieri’s team continue to defy expectations in the Barclays Premier League. 

Vardy, Mahrez and Kanté make up half of the six-man shortlist for the award. It’s a remarkable achievement for both the Club and the players, given that all were playing second-tier football in England or France as recently as 2014. 

The nominations come after PFA Members from more than 100 clubs in the Premier League, Football League and Women’s Super League cast their votes, with the winner to be crowned at the 43rd Annual PFA Awards on Sunday 24 April. 

Chelsea’s Eden Hazard scooped the prize for his performances last season and should any of Leicester City’s three nominees do so this time around, they would become the Club’s first-ever winner of the award. 

All three have excelled for Ranieri’s side this term. On the back of his first England call-up last summer, Vardy hit the ground running with the Foxes this term and made worldwide headlines in November when he became the first player in Premier League history to score in 11 consecutive matches – eclipsing former Manchester United striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy. 

His relentless running, electric pace and composed finishing have continued to torment defences, while his brace of goals against Sunderland last weekend saw him become the first City player in more than 30 years to break the 20-goal barrier in a top-flight season. 

It’s a feat made all the more remarkable when the striker’s rapid rise from the non-league ranks are taken into account. After being released by Sheffield Wednesday as a youngster, he played for Stocksbridge Park Steels, Halifax and Fleetwood before signing for City in 2012. He has scored 21 goals in just 33 Premier League games this season. 

Algeria international Mahrez has also been a standout performer for the Foxes this term, with a stunning 17 goals in 34 games from the right wing position in all competitions – by far the best goalscoring season of his career. 

The 25-year-old former Le Havre man has consistently proven himself to be a matchwinner for the Foxes this season, while his dazzling dribbles and tricks have the crowd on their feet whenever and wherever he picks up the ball. 

Mahrez became the first Leicester City player in 15 years to score a Premier League hat-trick when he netted all three in a 3-0 win over Swansea City in December, but some equally stunning assists for his team-mates have been just as pivotal – as well as handing the ball to Vardy for a penalty against Watford to help him continue his record goal streak. 

Signed from French outfit Caen in the summer, City fans soon realised that Kante’s playing style was a perfect match for the Premier League – a point illustrated by the fact that he leads the league in tackles and interceptions. 

The France international midfielder scored his first goal for the Foxes in a win over Watford at King Power Stadium but it’s his incredible skill in the tackle that has been the standout aspect of his game during his debut season a Premier League player.